The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-23
REVOLT AGAINST TRADE-UNIoN TYRANNY.

employees in the different building trades, each
side making demands which the other is
unwilling to grant. In its present shape it is
really fight of the trades-union against the
field, their hostility being bitter against
non-union labor as it is against the employers.
| On the other hand, the employers have been
forced into such position that in fighting
their own battle they are fighting that of free
labor. Thus we have the singular spectacle
of organized trades-unions making demands.
ostensibly in the interest of labor but really
calculated to degrade and ensave it, while the
employers are driven, in self-defense, to
declare in favor of the complete emancipation
of labor from ring-rue and trades union bond
age. A peculiar feature of the situation is that
both parties seem to be more intent on estab-
| fishing certain principles and rules of action
| to govern in the future than they are concern
ing the outcome Of the present contest.
| Perhaps both expect to win in
the present struggle, but the de-
mands formulated by either side show
they have an eye to the future, the strikers
trades unions and the employers to cut loose
from them altogether. The points of differ
ence are striking. The ultimatum of the
brck-layers, submitted few days ago, de-
manded, first, that their union shall be recog-
nized by the employers, and that no man shall
be allowed to work at brck-laying who does
not belong to the union. This is an unwar-
rantable attempt to dictate to the employer
and at the same time to tyrannize over nom
union workmen. Under that rule the poor
est, LATEST and most worthless brick-layer in
the union is of more account than a first
class honest, industrious workman out of it,
and the discharge of the former or employ
ment of the latter would be good ground for
a strike. The second demand is that the
ployer shall recognize the authority of the
walking delegate" and his right to arbitrate
ali matters of difference between employer
and workmen. Third, they demand the eight
hour day with ten hours pay Fourth,
that no employer shall have more than
two apprentices, no matter how many men
he employs. This is probably the
of all. 1t is part of organized scheme to
maintain a monopoly of skilled labor by pre-
venting American boys from learning trades.
1t is deadly blow at free labor and equal
rights and opposed to the first principles of
personal liberty. 1t ought to be a recognized
principle in this country that every American
boy who wants to learn a trade shall have the
opportunity A system that deprives any
boy of this privilege has no right to exist in
free country.
Opposed to these demands of the strikers is
the following statement, unanimously adopt
ed by the representatives of all the building
trades in Chicago, and the signature of which
they propose to make a condition precedent to
employing any person in future:
II recognize the right of every man to de-
eide for himself, without dictation inter
ference, when he shall work cease to work;
for whom he shall work; how many hours he
shall work, and for what wages he shall work.
II recognize the absolute right of the
ployer to decide for himself, without interfer-
ence from any source, whom he shall employ
or cease to employ; to regulate and manage
his business with perfect independence and
freedom, provided only that he shall deal
lawfully, justly and honorably with all men.
II recognize the right of every father to
have his son taught, and of every son to learn,
any lawful trade, as OH plane with his right
to knowledge of reading, writing or any
other branch of learning, and should be sub
iect to regulation only by the laws of the
land.
81 hereby pledge myself, in all of nv rela-
tons and intercourse with my employers and
fellow workmen, to maintain and live up to
these principles"
This statement adopted by a unani-
nous vote of the delegates present, with a
further pledge by each one that he would live
up to these principles in the prosecution of his
business, and would employ no workman un-
less he signed the statement. This action
looks beyond the present contest, and if
adhered to may have far-reaching conse-
ouences. AS declaration of principles, the
statement must command the approval Of
every fair-minded man. It is simply dec
laration of natural rights and personal liberty,
and any man who demands more or refuses to
grant as much is no true American. It ex-
presses the whole law and gospel of the
relation between capital and labor-a relation
which can only be satisfactorily adjusted and
settled on the principles of natural law and
individual rights. A comparison of this
statement with the demands of the brick
layers shows the extent to which the contest
at Chicago has become one of principle.
THE GAS ORDINANCE.
The Council is wasting valuable time in re-
gard to the gas ordinance. The action Saturday